RABBI’S MESSAGE - MARCH 2020

Congregation B’nai Harim Children of the Mountains

Congregation B’nai Harim, P.O. Box 757, Pocono Pines, PA 18350/ (570) 646-0100 http://www.bnaiharimpoconos.org

NEWSLETTER MARCH 2020 / VOLUME 26, ISSUE 3

PAGE ONE/B’NAI HARIM

We’ve reached the month of Adar, a month of gladness that begins to unfurl like cro-cuses in the strengthening sunlight. It’s the month of Purim, a time of release from anxie-ty. We all need that! At B’nai Harim we’ve grown accustomed to celebrating our Jewish year together with actions: singing, studying, coming together in prayer, in feasting and in fasting. We practice Judaism together. Some have adopted certain holidays as their own, making sure the congregation can all come together to appreciate the days. Many get out there and vol-

unteer, bringing our values into the community. And some perform the important task of just show-ing up! After all, you can’t have a “kosher” celebration without a minyan! But there are some times that it feels as if people are watching a performance. Now, that’s ap-propriate during the Purim Shpiel—at least during the acting: we count on your singing along to the words we project on the wall!! But for other holidays, we need your engagement beyond the words in a book (or on the wall!) Pesach is approaching. We will hold our Congregational Seder on the second night of Pesach, April 9. Yes, we need help with set-up and kashering the kitchen; yes we need your reservations and probably some donations. This year, I invite you to participate in another way, too. If you will be joining us for the seder, I invite you to “adopt a step” in the order of the seder to present in any way you find meaningful when we reach that part of the haggadah. So, if you resonate with karpas, the greens we dip, claim that part and tell, show, recite that part. Any particular plague or plagues move you? Do you remember any stories or customs that your family used to tell every year—the ones that make your seder feel complete? Come prepared to share them. I am enclosing a list of possible parts to take when you take part. If you want to try but wonder what you could add, let me know; we’ll brainstorm together! Although we celebrate our freedom from slavery on Pesach, we also celebrate our freedom to act as b’nai horin, free people who take on responsibilities to raise our voices and make ourselves known in the world. It’s good to practice together.

Rabbi Peg Kershenbaum

SAVE THE DATE

Sat., 3/7 - 9:30 AM Choir Warm-up

10:15 AM Services

Sun. 3/8 - 11:00 AM Megillah Reading

12:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM Shpiel

Fri. 3/13 - 6:30 PM Shabbat Dinner

Sat. 3/14 - 10:30 AM Choir Practice

12:30 PM Women’s Torah Study

4:00 PM Soup’s On at the Stolzenbergs’

Sun. 3/15 - 9:30 AM Board Meeting

Thur.3/19 - 12:00 PM Ladies Lunch Fri. 3/20 - 6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat Sat. 3/21 - 9:30 AM Choir Warm-up 10:15 AM Services followed by Book Club

Sat. 4/4 - 9:30 AM Choir Warm-up 10:15 AM Services Sun. 4/5 - Kasher Kitchen Thur. 4/9 - B’nai Harim Seder Wed. 4/15 - Service, Yizkor Fri. 4/17 - 6:30 PM Shabbat Dinner Sat. 4/18 - 9:30 AM Choir Practice 12:30 PM Women’s Torah Study Sun. 4/19 - 9:30 AM Board Meeting Fri. 4/24 - 6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat Sat. 4/25 - 9:30 AM Choir Warm-up 10:15 AM Services

2

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - MARCH 2020 by Meredith Stempel

PAGE TWO/B’NAI HARIM

In the movie, “As Good As It Gets,” Jack Nicholson plays the part of Melvin, an obnoxious, obsessive-compulsive character who is a successful writer whose books positively impact his admiring, loyal fans. Melvin regularly patronizes a restaurant purposely to be served breakfast by Carol, the waitress (played by Helen Hunt) with whom he is enamored. While attempting to have a more intimate relationship with Car-ol, Melvin makes an insulting remark and Carol demands an immediate compliment or she will have nothing to do with him. Melvin responds in a round about way explaining that he is seeing a therapist for his “ailment” and though in the past declined medication, he changed his mind and decided to try it because Carol makes him want to be a better man. Carol looks at Melvin in awe, responding that it was maybe the best compliment she ever received. During the movie one sees the transformation of a man who has inherent goodness, with major flaws, into a better person. He takes into his home his homeless neighbor and his dog, who Melvin grows to love after initially putting him down the trash chute. At the beginning of the movie the neighbor, offended by Melvin’s anti-social behavior threatens him and later on, overwhelmed by this goodness, tells Melvin that he loves him. Melvin also arranges to pay for the medical care of Carol’s severely asthmatic son. Is that as good as it gets? Is “best” achievable? I do not know, but it is surely worth pursuing “better”.

TEMPLE JUDAICA SHOP Norma Krasne- Levine

NETTING IT OUT by Honi Gruenberg

It’s no secret that I rely on My Jewish Learning for a great deal of information that I share in the monthly Netting It Out column. The month’s article really made me rethink lighting Shabbat candles. https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/what-do-shabbat-candles-have-to-do-with-eves-sin/?utm_source=mjl_maropost&utm_campaign=MJL&utm_medium=email&mpweb=1161-

16899-224404 While the article points to the end to light candles when some observe a no electric shabbat, it goes on to say that midrash has it that candle lighting is a symbolic rectification for Eve’s sin of eating from the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden. According to this Midrash, when Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden, she removed a little bit of light in the world. Lighting the Shabbat candles is our way of putting that light back into the world. According to this Midrash, women are obligated to light candles because Eve extinguished the lamp of the

world, meaning she caused the death of the first human. And the Rambam explains that women are more obli-gated to light candles because they are found at home and they take care of household needs.

So if you want to get your feminist ire up more, the article continues that women are given the command-

ment of challah thanks to Eve, because she disgraced the first man, who was the sanctification [challah] of

creation, therefore she was given the commandment of challah. Let’s move on to the Purim article on Vashti and Esther and their characteristics. https:/

www.myjewishlearning.com/article/vashti-esther-a-feminist-perspective/ Two women who seem to be oppo-

sites: Vashti defied the King and was banished, and Esther who was more submissive to her Uncle Morde-

chai and the King, along the way steps up to save the Jews. There is another article that encourages waving Purim flags for Vashi and Ester instead of calling attention to Haman. https://www.myjewishlearning.com/

article/the-esthervashti-purim-flag/ These articles dive deeper into the nature of Vashti and Esther. By wav-

ing the esthervashti flag we celebrate the qualities of both queens.

By placing Esther and Vashti on the same flag, we celebrate the strength and defense of Vashti over her

body and sexuality and the courage of Esther to “come out” as a Jew and lead her community in a public fast. It is time to celebrate women’s power and to question the ways we have wielded it over others. While we

may still hiss and boo and grogger for Haman, let’s raise the flag to Esther and Vashti.

The Temple Winter Sale is over; but Spring is just around the corner.

Passover is coming. The Gift Shop has lovely Seder Plates, Holiday Tablecloths, a Gefilte Fish Platter, stuffed animals and many other items for you. The next time you are in Temple come check out the Judaica case.

PAGE THREE/B’NAI HARIM

BOOK CLUB NEWS - MARCH 2020 by Barbara Kapitansky

Our next book, “The Girl from Berlin,” is a novel by Ronald H. Balson. Liam Taggart, Investigator, and his wife, Catherine Lockhart, attorney, are contacted by an old friend to aid his aunt in a property dispute in Tuscany that in a handwritten manu-script unearths a story long forgotten…. Ada Baumgarten, born in Berlin in 1918 is the

daughter of a first-chair violinist in the Berlin Philharmonic. She, herself, is a violin prodigy. Although deception and greed are involved, this story also offers the beauty of music and love. This historical novel is an example of how crimes buried over years can reverberate across future generations. It has been added to the B'nai Harim library. If you would like to borrow it, please call Phyllis Miller at 570-355-5350. Come join us after the kiddish on March 21, 2020, to discuss this highly rated book. All con-gregants are invited to attend.

THE JEWS OF THE ANDES by George Novick

Gamliel Shiloh is his name. He is descended from Peruvian Indian tribes that have lived in the An-des forever. His grandparents were devout Catholics. However, they and some friends, began to study the Old Testament and found many inconsistencies between it and their Catholicism. They moved to Protestantism before leaving Christianity altogether. They felt that they had to follow the Torah and its teachings and began to consider themselves “people of Israel” since they strove to follow and keep all the Commandments. Their neighbors called them “the Jews” but Gamliel only remembers hostility in high school where he was labeled Christ killer. The group decided that in order to be Jews the men should be circumcised. The mohel, brought in from Lima, informed them that only a conversion through a rabbinical court could officially make them Jews. Contacts with the Jewish community in Lima and their help in interpreting what Gamliel and his family could not understand set them on the right path. Three orthodox Rabbis were sent to the group to act as a Beit Din. Some of the families, the most devout, were converted by the first Beit Din. Others were converted later. Gamliel and his family immediately made Aliya to Israel where he became an engineer and married a Sabra. He makes up just one small part of the tapestry that is Israel. My former Rabbi remarked to me that if someone wants to be Jewish, we should accept them with open arms into our community. How they convert is up to the rules of the Rabbis they follow. They should and must be considered as Jews on equal footing with all Jews.

TIKKUN OLAM by Steven Levine

Our Temple Plarners have contributed to the RSVP Merry Mat Makers who have to date used the Plarn to make over 83 Mats. Let’s keep those balls rolling along. Next Plarn date is March 7th after Services. Remember to keep donating food for our participating Food Banks. We are still collect-

ing HUGS and warm clothing; the ground is still cold if you are living outdoors. I must share the gratitude that people expressed after reading your lovely encouraging notes. They are eager for face-to-face conversation so please contact me for meeting locations. Thank you all for your efforts.

SOUP’S ON AT THE STOLZENBERGS

Mark your calendar now. Soup’s On at the Stolzenberg’s on Sunday March 29 at 4 PM. 3143 Paul Bunyan Trail Timber Trails Pocono Pines. Route 940 to Rt 423 N travel about 1.5 miles then turn right into Timber Trails. Stop at Rangers’ hut. Tell them where you are going. Continue to “T” take a left turn onto Conestoga Take 5th left turn onto Paul Bun-yan Trail turn into driveway at 3143. The driveway is long and tricky to negotiate so if you can easily walk, park on the road and walk up the driveway to the house.

Please bring an item for the Temples’ pantry or for the JFS kosher food pantry. RSVP mirenestolzenberg@gmail.com or 732-735-0983.

PAGE FOUR/B’NAI HARIM

FLORIDA REUNION - JANUARY 31, 2020

Standing - Left to Right Beverly Novick, Maddy Mogel, and Eileen Chimerine.

Seated - Norma Fisch.

Standing - Gene Schneider Norma Fisch, Joe Bedrick and Sara Bedrick

Gail Tauriello, Steve Bram, Sam Neulinger and Joe Fisch.

Latitudes - In Delray Sands Hotel, 2809 South Ocean Boulevard, Highland Beach, Florida 33487

PAGE FIVE/B’NAI HARIM

DONATIONS

GENERAL FUND From: Marian Tabak In memory of: 1. Her Father-in-Law, Jacob

Tabak. 2. Her Mother-in-Law, Irene

Tabak. 3. Her Father, Benjamin H. Blum. From: Steven Levine In memory of Lillian Levine. From: Shelly Wismer In memory of her Father, Joseph Horn. From: Joe & Sara Bedrick In memory of Sara’s Father, Samuel Dorsky. From: Jay Martel In memory of his Stepdad, Norman Miroff. From: Jonathan Spinner In memory of his Father, Irving Spinner. From: Arnold Gwirtzman In memory of his Brother, Tad Gwirtzman. From: Joseph & Sara Bedrick In memory of Joseph’s Mother, Jennie Bedrick. From: Jerry & Elaine Goodstein In memory of Jerry’s Father, Allen Goodstein. From: Arlyn & Dave Bialick In memory of Arlyn’s Mother, Pauline Zudick. From: Sam Neulinger In memory of: 1. His Father, Jospeh Neulinger. 2. His Father-in-Law, Abraham

Heller. From: Honi Gruenberg & Skip Spady In memory of Skip’s Mother, Willie Lou Spady.

YAHRZEIT FUND

.

New Member

Jen Feldheim-Gray

You don't have to know the words or the music. All you have to know is that your voice is important. We rehearse once a month and sing during the next service. Even if you don't want to sing in a group during services, come sing together at practice!

Saturday, March 7th & 21st - Practice at 9:30 AM Saturday, March 14th - Practice at 9:30 AM

Kiddushes are such a delightful part of socializing after a Saturday Morning service. We always welcome hosts for our Kiddushes. The cost of sponsoring is $65.00 and includes bagels, cream cheese, coffee, tea,

orange juice, milk and all needed paper goods. Sponsors are wel-come to supplement the Kiddush. To host a Kiddush, call Roberta Pineiro (570) 839-0107.

Saturday, March 7th - Kiddush Fund Saturday, March 21st - Kiddush Fund

RABBI’S FUND

From: Carol Yates & Shelia Gutzait. In memory of David Horen. From: Meredith Stempel & Mikhail Levitin In memory of Toby Barnett. From: Eleanor Schultz In memory of Toby Barnett. From: Stan & Barbara Kapitansky In memory of a dear friend and founding member Toby Barnett. She will be missed.

From: Joe & Sara Bedrick Condolences to the Family of Toby Barnett. From: Honi Gruenberg & Skip Spady In memory of: Toby Frank Barnett and David Horen.

CALLING ALL WHO LIKE TO SING OUR CHOIR NEEDS YOU!

Birthdays/Anniversaries & Yahrzeit On page 6

KIDDUSH HOSTS

From: Joe & Sara Bedrick In honor of Al & Ellen Kagan’s Anniversary

BEAUTIFICATION FUND

This year, we are introducing an exciting new event in conjunction with our highly successful Annual Golf Outing and Dinner to be held on Tuesday, August 18. We will be conducting a Pickleball Tournament on Monday, August 17. Members of B'nai Harim and their friends and neighbors from the surrounding communities will be able

to play pickleball and attend the dinner or play pickleball and golf and attend the dinner. The Pickleball Tournament will be played at the Lake Naomi out-door pickleball courts across from North Beach (corner of Woodland and Naomi). Registration and breakfast will begin at 9am and play will start at 10am. The format will be Round Robin with teams of two playing each other. Participants may sign up as a team or be paired with another player at the event. It is anticipated that all teams will play multiple games and prizes will be awarded. More infor-mation will be forthcoming as we firm up plans for the event.

FIRST ANNUAL PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT

MEMORIAL BOARD

PAGE SIX/ B’NAI HARIM

If you take photos at any Temple function, PLEASE send them to my e-mail LHStine @gmail.com and identify the occasion and

the faces. These photos make our publicity more interesting to the community. Thanks, Leslie Stine

2 Bernard Heller 4 Gussie Quartein

6 Scott Dockswell Arnold Hochman 10 ADAR Robert Keith Tabak 7 Bertha Gelbard 11 ADAR 8 Susan Rachlin 9 Harold Levin 11 Frances Rubel 12 Daniel Goodstein 16 ADAR Lillian Reinecke 13 James L. Hannan Edna Lauscher 14 Dorothy Bialick 18 ADAR 15 Elizabeth Gelbart Susan Simon 16 Constance Bram 20 ADAR Roberta Shaid 17 Gussie Ring Stolzenberg 21 ADAR 19 Gerald Feldheim Jean Persky Joel Spinner 23 ADAR Fredric Steinhaus 21 Rose Emerson Allan Posner Danny Quint 22 Jack Branner 24 Toby Brownstein 25 Eva Dubin 29 ADAR 26 Esther Horowitz-Silverman Willie Lou Spady 31 Peter Gelbart

YAHRZEIT REMEMBRANCE

REMEMBER YOUR LOVED ONES BY ADDING THEIR NAMES TO OUR MEMORIAL BOARD— The cost for each plaque (one name per plaque) is $236. A minimum of $50 must accompany each request. The balance can be paid over one year for 1 or 2 plaques and/or two years for more than 2 plaques. For further information, please contact Stan Kapitansky, (718) 428-2140 or e-mail me at bspoco@verizon.net. Copies of the order form will be available at the temple, or you may download a copy directly from the web site. Stan Kapitansky, Yahrzeit Committee Chairperson

CELEBRATIONS

IF YOU TAKE PHOTOS

TREE OF LIFE

Dear friends! Every leaf on our beauti-ful Tree of Life is filled with your good news and events. It’s time to order a new batch! I am ready to take your

orders. Each leaf costs just triple Chai ($54.00) and will be engraved to your specifications. Please call Julia Shaykevich at (570) 620-0104 or contact her by e-mail at juliett72@yahoo.com to place your order.

ANNIVERSARIES

Barbara Kapitansky March 4

Phyllis Miller March 7

Melissa Guenst March 10

Alan Kagan March 11 Elizabeth Shaid March 16 Richard E. Fertel March 29 Lauren Green April 4 Mikhail Zazovskiy April 7 Richard Feman April 10 Allen Rubel April 12

Bonnie & Richard Fertel March 10

Stacy & Harvey Mitgang March 23

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the respective author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Congre-gation B’nai Harim or its members.

DISCLAIMER

PATRONIZE B’NAI HARIM’S ADVERTISERS YOUR PRINT PROJECTS ARE OUR PRIORITY

Let The UPS Store print your next project. No job too large or small - Newsletters, flyers, manuals

-A variety of finish options-

413 ROUTE 940, MT. POCONO, PA 18344 (570) 839-8010 (570) 839-8020

Store 5501@theupsstore.com

PAGE SEVEN/B’NAI HARIM

The Area’s Only Jewish Assisted Senior Living So Much Comfort So Close to Home

465 Venard Rd. Clarks Summit, PA 18411

Phone: 50-585-4400 Fax: 570-585-4500

Website: www.elangardens.org

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES

Jewish Family Service is in need of Kosher food and toiletries marked with a recognized symbol. Please remember to bring a donation of at least one item when you visit the synagogue. All items

must be kosher, unopened and within the expiration date on the packaging. If each one of us brings one can or box of food each time we come to the Temple, it will make a real difference to the needy in our commu-nity. You can also write a check to “Jewish Family Service of Northeast Pennsylvania” and it will be delivered. It is also tax deductible. Thank you and keep up the great work. We hope you will continue to be generous throughout the year.

MI SHEBEIRACH LIST

When putting a person onto the Mi Shebeirach List, it should be with person’s permission. Would the person like to be listed with their Eng-lish or Hebrew name? Please include a contact name and telephone number so that Rabbi Peg

may follow up with the person or with the member who placed the name on the list. Our policy now states that the list will be limited to members and their immediate family (parents, grandparents, siblings and their spouses, children and their spouses, grandchildren and their spouses). Con-gregants are strongly encouraged to mention any person aloud at the appropriate time during the service, so we can pray for their improved health. REMEMBER TO HAVE THE PERSON’S NAME REMOVED, IF THE PERSON NO LONGER NEEDS TO BE ON THE LIST.

Our Yahrzeit list is open not only to those who have plaques, but to the entire congre-gation. This will allow you to remember your loved ones on their anniversary date.

The forms available at the Temple can be completed and returned directly to me. With this information, a reminder will be sent to you at the appropriate time, and the name of your loved one will be added to our kaddish list for that date. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly at bspoco@verizon.net, 718-428-2140 or 570-646-4668.

Sincerely, Stan Kapitansky Yahrzeit Committee Chairperson

YAHRZEIT NOTIFICATION

In addition to the monthly newsletter, we publish a weekly online newsletter for all members with e-mail

addresses and Internet access. If you do not want to re-ceive email announcements or cannot access the Internet, please call Richard Feman 570-355-5124 or 516-481-6114.

WEEKLY ONLINE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congregation B’nai Harim

PO Box 757 5349 Pocono Crest Road Pocono Pines, PA, 18350

http://www.bnaiharimpoconos.org

PHONE: Message Center (570) 646-0100

E-Mail:

rwbs@hotmail.com

DIRECTIONS Driving East on Route 940, turn right at the Pocono Pines traffic light at Route 423, continue on Pocono Crest road (formerly Sullivan Road) about 1&1/2 miles. Synagogue on left (before reach-ing 940). Driving West on Route 940, turn left at intersection of Pocono Crest Road (formerly Sullivan Road), and the Syna-

gogue will be on the right.(approx. 1/10th of a mile).

Next Board Meeting date: Sunday, March 15th at 9:30 AM. To be put on the agenda, contact Meredith Stempel at (570) 242-6244 no later than five days prior to the meeting.

ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER

This is your newsletter, and we want your input. When

you have any news to share, please let us know so we

can publish it.

Deadline is the 20th of the month. News can be sent

(using WORD) to Paula Guenst at rwbs@hotmail.com.

The newsletter is published each month. Newsletter

subscriptions are available for $18 per year to non-

members of Congregation B’nai Harim. Please contact

Barbara Feman.

In addition to the monthly newsletter, we distribute

weekly online announcements to all members with

e-mail addresses and Internet access. If you have not

been receiving this please contact Richard Feman at

570-355-5124 or 516-481-6114.

CONGREGATION B’NAI HARIM PO Box 757

5349 Pocono Crest Road Pocono Pines, PA 18350

RECURRING SCHEDULES Services Sat. 10:15 AM Shabbat Dinner Fri. 6:30 PM Religious School Sat. 9:00AM

PAGE EIGHT/B’NAI HARIM

Rabbi: Peg Kershenbaum Pres.: Meredith Stempel VP: Stacy Mitgang Sec.: Carol Yates Treas.: Steve Bram Editor: Honi Gruenberg Member of the URJ - Union For Reform Judaism

The members of B’nai Harim are a very caring, close group but sometimes a member needs a little extra help. If you know of someone who needs a phone call or a visit, please either encourage them to call the Rabbi directly or email her yourself to let her know one of her congregants needs help.

DEADLINE FOR ARTICLES FOR THE APRIL NEWSLETTER IS MARCH 20TH.

NEED SOME CHICKEN SOUP

NEED A CALL FROM RABBI?

KNOW SOMEONE WHO DOES?

If you have recently moved, please send your new information to Honi Gruenberg at Gruenberg.honi@gmail.com. She will update the Membership list and generate a new list.

NEW ADDRESS?

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

15 PARTS TO THE SEDER Yahrzeit On page 6

As you know the seder has 15 parts and I'd love if you'd each offer to share a reading, story, personal thought, song or teaching about one or more of the parts. It can be serious, funny, cra-zy, whatever! So here are the topics - first to RSVP gets first choice!

Sanctify God's name (Kiddush)

Wash hands (no blessing)

Eat green vegetables dipped in salt water

Break the middle matzoh

Tell the story of the Exodus (I'm hoping someone really creative will step in here).

4 questions (1 or more)

4 children (1 or more). Wash hands before the meal

Hamotzi

Blessing for matzoh

Eat bitter herbs with charoset

Eat matzoh and maror together

Eat! (full participation here!)

Afikomen

Birchat HaMazon (blessing after meal)

Recite Hallel

Conclude

Even if you don’t take an individual part this time, there are still readings to share and songs to sing.

Let’s celebrate our freedom to raise our voices and be who we are!